FC Dallas is currently tied for 2nd place in the western conference and still yet to face defeat this season through six games. Through those six games we’ve seen most of the success of the club carried by the backline with their strong defensive performances, allowing only three goals in those six games.
However, the thing that seems to be holding the team back continues to be the lack of finishing product from the offense. Even in the 2-0 win over Portland, we saw chances galore missed before finally breaking through with a penalty kick from Mauro Diaz.
When people talk of the lack of finishing that has plagued FC Dallas this season, and towards the end of last season, it usually comes back to the striker position.
Maxi Urruti or Cristian Colman? Or both? That has been the question most fans have been debating throughout the season. In Saturday’s win over the Philadelphia Union we saw Colman get the start up top with Maxi Urruti coming off the bench. Urruti was subbed on for Colman and scored the second goal of the night. So Urruti over Colman should be an easy decision right? Well not so fast.
While Colman can be incredibly frustrating with his final touch in and around the box, he offers a play style and skill set that could not be more different from that of Maxi Urruti. Colman is a true number 9. He has strength, aerial ability, and some pace. He gives FC Dallas an outlet up front that Urruti can’t necessarily give. Colman allows you to play more direct and he occupies the center backs by always staying high and looking to get in behind.
Urruti on the other hand is a guy who is gonna drop deep and try and combine with others and defend from the front and annoy defenders. Urruti’s skills could make him very useful as a super sup. A role that he played very well in Portland, and played well Saturday night.
Maybe we’ll get to see some of Colman and Urruti playing together, but that would require keeping Mauro Diaz on the bench, or keeping Mosquera or Lamah on the bench.
I believe this team is a striker away from being able to really compete for some trophies this season. Cristian Colman may not be THE striker this team needs, but he is definitely the kind of striker this team needs. Regardless, Oscar Pareja has a lot of tough choices to make with his lineup each week and until either Urruti or Colman prove that they deserve the spot, or someone else is bought in, the striker position will be the perhaps the biggest and most important question mark on this team.
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